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                                              Artistic Director                   Music Director                    Choreographer     

A Messenger from the Artistic Director  

Welcome to FVS’s production of The Gondoliers. Tonight, we invite you to romantic Venice where handsome gondolieri fall in love with beautiful contadine, where Dukes and Duchesses rub shoulders with Grand Inquisitors, identities are switched and everything “topsy-turvy” is turned right side up. The Gondoliers is widely considered to be the supreme achievement of the combined talents of W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. The fact that it came into being at all is something of a small miracle, considering that prior to this, their 11^th collaboration, the two had quarreled bitterly over whether Sullivan would continue to write music for Gilbert’s comic librettos. But after a soothing sojourn in Venice, he wrote to Gilbert that “the subject of Venice and Venetian life might hold out great chances of bright colour and taking music”. It seems he was right!  Gilbert’s light and bubbly libretto inspired Sullivan to write one of his most sparkling scores.

It has been both a privilege and a challenge to bring this charming script to life.  My thanks to a talented and dedicated cast and crew, who are, even now, manning the gondolas to transport you across the grand canal, so…. Andiamo a Venezia!

Paulina has over 40 years of theatrical experience as a performer, writer, and most recently, as a director.  This is her 5^th production seated in the director’s chair and she thanks FVS for their trust and support.

A Message from the Music Director 

Gilbert and Sullivan’s timeless collaborations are something to which, even as a young boy, I have been drawn. This form of partnership we find, the beau ideal of its kind: lyric and melody strict, combined with absolute equality! These brilliant creations so perfectly entwined, cause us to think they act as one person, when they are, in fact, two persons. Unfathomable! 

The Gondoliers, Gilbert and Sullivan’s last great achievement, will woo you with beautiful melodies and tickle your theatrical fancy through romance, political satire, and of course absurdity taken to its logical conclusion. It is with gratitude that I find myself on the podium and attached to the baton of yet another Fraser Valley Stage production. The opportunity to work with such talented friends and fellow makers of music is something I consider a great privilege. Siamo una famiglia!

About our Choreographer 

Debbie Calicetto has been choreographing dance for over 30 years here in the Fraser Valley including community theatre, school dance programs, special event ceremonies, and running Can Dance Studio as the director and choreographer.

Musicals became a part of her life at age 19 when she was asked to choreograph a full production of Bye Bye Birdie. Then she took on other musicals such as Cats, Annie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Sound of Music. Working on a project with passionate artists from beginning to end is very fulfilling for her.

Debbie began working with FVS four years ago, choreographing Forbidden Broadway, then Guys and Dolls. She is now back to choreograph The Gondoliers. “Thank you dancers for all your hard work and passion."